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Red Cross Designer Showhouse 2013

While envisioning your tropical dream house—we all do this, right?—nubby linens, sheer cottons, grass cloth, sisal, wicker, and driftwood undoubtedly come to mind. Add some bright color, geometric patterns, comfortable seating, and underwater accents, and you have the makings of a home worthy of Florida’s beautiful beaches.

All this and more was on display during the 2013 American Red Cross Designers’ Showhouse in West Palm Beach, Florida. Now in its 38th year—the 2014 edition is open February 20 through March 22—the design event continues to kick-start our calendar year as the first showhouse stop. Join us as we whisk you away to a Key West-style retreat on a tour of last year’s sea-inspired spaces.

Exterior Entrance

Elegant but easygoing is the first impression of the showhouse exterior.

The foyer isn’t just this home’s entry, it also acts as an art gallery and an alternative dining area. “It’s truly the spine of the first floor,” says Stephen Mooney. Serving as the design’s jumping-off point is the drapery fabric with aqua and silver undertones. The wall-to-wall sea-grass rug concealing polished marble floors instantly warms the room. A round antique rosewood table plays host to chilled champagne and decadent desserts. Overhead, a bell-jar lantern makes a clear statement.

“It honors the striking style for which Palm Beach is known,” says Lisa Erdmann of this chic space. Grass-cloth wallcovering injects a pop of pattern, as does the sofa’s subtle trellis-print upholstery and the colorful dragon print on the draperies. Neutral linen and nailhead trim enhance the study’s low ceiling, while a coffee table with a faux-snakeskin top anchors the sitting area.The tropical look of wood-and-cane chairs suits the room perfectly, and a herringbone-patterned sisal rug incorporates stylish texture underfoot.

All-white walls and a coordinating sofa achieve a light and airy look in this room ideal for socializing. Natural fabrics and materials—note the linen pillows, sisal area rug, and reclaimed-wood coffee and console tables—support the “island living” theme. The large silver globe lantern is the designers’ favorite. “When lit, it projects just the right amount of inviting light,” says Jennifer Garrigues. Faux-animal prints on the ottoman and rug contribute to the exotic aura.

NXG Studio’s Melissa and Noe Guerra set out to design a gourmet kitchen with high function and minimal clutter. Echoing the home’s arched doorways is the hood area over the stove. “We wanted to frame the cooking space as its own special place,” Melissa Guerra explains. The room’s gray-beige cabinetry is accented with glass mosaic tile backsplashes by Crossville. Up close, the concrete countertops reveal grains of sand—a nod to the beautiful beaches nearby. A succulent centerpiece brings texture to the table surrounded by white-painted chairs with polka-dot upholstery from CR Laine. Stainless-steel appliances are by Electrolux.

Designer Mimi Masri transformed the dining area into a stylish underwater sanctuary. The light-to-dark treatment of the walls delivers a sense of direction and depth, while whimsical hand-painted jellyfish and overhead LED lighting bring the sea scene to life. Mirrors embellish the ceiling’s timbered grid, which looks as if it’s floating on the water’s surface.

Allison Paladino decided to treat the narrow upstairs hall as the home’s secondary foyer. “I like taking nondescript spaces and transforming them with glamorous, jewel-like treatments,” she explains. The pale blue wall paint from Benjamin Moore reminded her of the Palm Beach water on a clear day. Flanking the console table are mahogany screens with cream relief panels, all from Palladino’s collection for E.J. Victor. Four framed prints crown a demilune bench against the end wall.

“It shows the sophisticated side of coastal living,” says Joseph Pubillones of the studio he designed. Despite its small (12x15 feet) proportions, the room offers plenty of seating without feeling stuffy. Polka-dot fabric panels instantly soften the wooden blinds on the windows. Patterns play a big role, appearing on the pillows, zebra-print chairs, paneled chests, and area rug. An antique loveseat and cozy club chairs form a sitting area around the two-tiered coffee table. Ceramic turtle shells enhance the tropical atmosphere.

Aiming to create a calm retreat encouraging rest and relaxation, Joseph Cortes and Kevin Marnell of HomeLife Interiors used pops of terra-cotta on the bed linens and patterned wallpaper rimming the ceiling to energize the otherwise neutral room. “The border lent a feminine feel but didn’t make men squirm,” says Joseph Cortes. A sculptural lounge chair and an antique bench with curved legs sit poised and pretty atop the tribal area rug and sisal carpet.

Vintage Palm Beach during the 1950s and ’60s inspired Gary McBournie’s vibrant master bedroom. “This conjured up visions of white furniture, simple yet sophisticated graphic prints, and carpet woven from natural island fibers,” he says. Choosing an orange-and-green fabric from his own collection for the chairs, bench, and window treatment, the designer paper-backed the material for use on the walls. Squares of grass-mat carpet were sewn together to custom-fit the room.

Designer Melody Smith created an ideal guest space in the loft. Yellow sofas convert into twin beds to accomodate overflow, and a round ottoman acts as a table. The beautiful floor-length shell mirror is from Curey & Co.

The influence of the blue ocean and the green grass is evident in Karen Kirk and Karen Bram's color choices for the West Terrace. Shaded under a big umbrella, synthetic wicker seating provides a great conversation area.

A living wall of flowering perennials is the brilliant backdrop for the pool area Shaped by Daryl McCann on behalf of Gregory Lombardi Design, the dynamic outdoor space features lush greenery and prime pool views. Rattan sofas and side tables from Gloster, plush pillows, and blossoming orchids complete the cozy conversation spot.